Marriage

In Theligosian society the practice of marriage is common, allowing couples to form a partnership of equals that is expected to last for the rest of their lives.

Joining

Should they wish to marry, couples make their intentions known by exchanging rings as a token of their affection during the first month of one of the three seasons: Newborn Moon, the first month of Akhet and first month of the year; Flower Moon, the first month of Peret and fifth month of the year; or Mirage Moon, the first month of Shomu and ninth month of the year. Owing to its position at the start of a new season, each of these months is associated with change and growth, making them an appropriate time to form a commitment to another.
This betrothal - known as joining - typically lasts for several months. As well as allowing a couple to confirm between themselves that they would like to spend their lives together, joining indicates their intentions to others, courtship up to this point generally being a private affair.
Joining is seen as a period of reflection, allowing the couple to consider their decision before the wedding ceremony takes place. As such, either party can choose to end the arrangement during this time. It is expected that both individuals will confirm if they wish to go ahead with the marriage by the end of the season in which their joining took place, with their wedding being held at some point during the next season.
There are some exceptions to this. For example, if they wish to be married during a particular Moon the couple would still confirm their intentions within the usual timeframe of one season, but delay their wedding until later in the year.

Weddings

Once two partners are sure that they wish to spend their lives together, the wedding is arranged.

Clothing

There is no single traditional form of wedding clothing as what is worn varies depending on the couple's social standing. Nobles would wear matching formal dress robes and Lowborn couples would wear whatever they consider to be their 'best' clothes - perhaps an embroidered dress for women and a shirt made of finer quality cloth than usual for men. One custom that is common across classes is the red ribbons that brides usually wear in their hair, the colour symbolising vitality and long life.
Whatever their social standing, couples would take a practical approach to choosing their wedding clothes, as although the day is of course a special and memorable one, the act of getting married and celebrating their relationship with loved ones is what matters. This attitude applies to all Theligosian wedding traditions - the bond that the couple share is valued more than material things or the opinions of others.

Venue

Owing to the absence of religion in Theligosian society, there are no specific venues or buildings where weddings are held and the ceremony can be performed by any adult. Traditionally, the head of the woman's household will do so though in practice this is not always the case - the head of either partner's family, another relative or even a close friend may take on the role instead if they are more easily persuaded or have a closer relationship with the couple.
In most cases the wedding is held at the home of the person who is performing the ceremony. The venue would be decorated with garlands made of woven grasses and flowers, berries or herbs, depending on the plants that are in season at that time of year. These garlands are made by the bride and her male friends and relatives prior to the wedding day.

Ceremony

Wedding ceremonies are small and attended by immediate family and very close friends only - parents, siblings and those with whom the couple would use the most familiar, intimate form of address.
The ceremony itself is a relatively simple affair. The couple remove the rings which they gave each other for their joining and hand them to the person who is performing the ceremony, who then asks the couple to confirm their love for each other. There is no standard wording for these vows, allowing the partners to say something heartfelt and personal. The husband's ring is given back to the wife and vice versa then the couple exchange rings again, formalising the commitment that was made at their joining in front of those who are closest to them.

Feast

Following the ceremony a light meal is shared between those who are present. Food usually includes bread, cheeses and savoury snacks, as well as fruit and cakes sweetened with honey, intended to symbolise the couple's happy marriage. The meal is prepared by the groom and his female friends and relatives the day before the wedding.

Procession

After the meal has been eaten the wedding party walk together to the home where the newlyweds will now be living. Once they arrive the guests present them with gifts, often small practical items for their new home. The couple also give a gift to the person who conducted the wedding ceremony.
If the couple will be living with family members, for example remaining within a larger household after their marriage, the procession would still take place as a way of making the marriage known to neighbours and the wider community. Gifts would also still be given.

Rings

The rings that are exchanged during joining are plain iron bands, worn on the third finger of the non-dominant hand. After the couple exchange the rings again at their wedding, they are worn on the third finger of the wearer's dominant hand.
Following the wedding the rings are also engraved to signify to others that the wearer is married. For Lowborn couples, this engraving is a simple design, normally a single line running around the band. Nobles tend to have more complicated engravings, such as a combination of the couples' House crests to represent the joining of their Houses, or a message in Hieratic chosen by their partner.